Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-05-28
Observation-Disclosures THAT COME
T0OLATE.


statement that the leading attorney
against him, in that great trial
which few years ago threatened
his overthrow, had said shat he Was
firmly convinced of Mr. BeecherS
innocence ard felt SO thrpuglloilt the
trial, recalls to mind the lact That
such tributes AS these q morally come
too late. Had this statement heea
published during the life oil tl'at
great and hrilliaat man il migat
have served TO appease some II titc
pangs he felt, and to Danish the
shadows which darkened the latter
part ofhis eventful life. His friends,
who survive him, will receive such
a confession gladly, but, he, who
above all others, would have been
most interested in such, and profit
ed most thereby, will never hear it,
Death has closed his eyes, stilled his
pulse and dulled his ear. No man,
while living, was ever more unmer-
-cifully criticised or persistently
slandered-no man, after death,
more lavishly eulogized or generous
ly praised. And yet, his has but
been the common lot ofall mankind.
Adjectives and superlatives are not
wanting to abuse man while living
neither are they spared to praise
him when he is dead. When the
lips are dumb. and eyes are closed,
and the ear is dull and lifeless, eulo
gies are all in vain.
.|sCan storied urn, or animated bust, m
Back to its mansion call the fleeting
breath
Can Honor's voice provoke the silent dust,
Or, Flattery soothe the duh cold ear of
death ?'
1t is passing strange that men sell
dom make known the value of their
fellowmen until they are gone. Men
are abused, slandered and persecut-
ed, while living-and eulogized pan
egyrized, and immortalized in brass
and marble, after they are dead.
Nothing is more inconsistent
ing more unjust. What folly was
it for the Athenians, after the death
of Socrates, to erect an altar to his
memory, when, during his life, they
had abused, ridiculed, and, finally
under false pretext, condemned him
to drink the deadly hemlock. Amer
leans venerate the name of Washing
ton with devotion almost approach
ing worship, and his deeds have
formed themes for the most gifted
eulogists. from his day down to the
present time,-and, yet, while: living,
he was the victim of the most cruel
vituperation and the most malignant
falsehoods. Columbus, after having
penetrated the maze which darken-
ed the western horizon, was allowed
to die in comparative obscurity,
while another snatched the honor
which was duly his and mot until
after his death, did he receive the
tribute he had justly earned.
Nor is this confined salone to the
limits of those who walk the rugged
heights of greatness, but...all, even
down to the humblest plodder
through the thoroughfare of life,
share the same fate. Friendiunder-
values friend !; the parent fails to
show proper love to the child the
child is likewise, lacking in appre-
citation of the parent; the husband
lacks Difference for the wife,-the
wife withholds sympathy from the
husband and thus it goes. The
world is full of martyrs,i but their
names are not recorded on the
scroll of fame, and, of kings and
queens, but they wear no glittering
crowns.
'"Full many gem of purest ray serene,
Fhe dark unfathomed caves of ocean
share -
Full many flower is born to blush I'M
seen
And waste it's sweetness on the desert
air."
1t is a noble, generous impulse
that will cause the living to speak
Ir;ndl,r nf 4hneo whn nro nennn aud